Updated Match Highlight


Most of the Malaysian aware that friendly match against Saudi Arabia should be an easy task for Saudi Arabia. Plus they are having home advantages playing in their own ground. But when I heard on the radio about our national under 23 squad goes down 2-1 in last night friendly match, it really show that K. Rajagopal nurturing this squad well. I have a high hope for this squad based on show of grit and determination shown by them in the past few months.

Bare in mind that Saudi Arabia made four times World Cup appearences and in the mid of preparing for World Cup play off against Bahrain on 5th September.

It was reported Malaysia go down by two goals score in each half. Saudi Arabia first goal scores by Malek Maaz in the 36th minute and second goal score by Abdullatif Al Ghannam in the 52nd minute. Malaysia reduces the deficit in the 82nd minute through Ahmad Shair Md Ali.

It was the first meeting between both teams in 12 years with Saudi winning the last encounter 3-0 in the World Cup Qualifying match in 1997 in Jeddah.

Saudi Arabia coached by Portugal-born Jose Peseiro and he filled all his stars including 2007 Asian Player of the Year, Yasser Al-Qahtani, Hamad Al-Montashari, Redha Tukar and Mabrouk Zaid.

And again, I would congratulate Farizal Marlias who is consistent with his heroic display to deny at least three fine chances from Saudi Arabia.

For the second matches, there is contradictory report. Some of the report claim Malaysia U23 will play against professional club Al-Qadisyah tomorrow. But some of them claim it will be Saudi Arabia national team in the same venue. And our national squad will complete their Middle East Tour playing against Jordan on Saturday. Jordan is ranked 122nd in FIFA ranking.

I hope there will be highlight about this matches and I will publish it as soon as I got it.